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Six more positive COVID-19 cases found on Haida Gwaii: Northern Health

Thirteen are active, seven have recovered
Kyle Balzer
Kyle Balzer

Northern Health has at least six new confirmed cases of COVID-19, all of which are on Haida Gwaii.

The authority has bumped the outbreak to 20 cases, 13 are active at this time and seven have fully recovered, as a result of ongoing contact tracing within the Nation's communities since it was declared on July 24.

However, in a statement today (July 29), Northern Health says the additional cases do not represent a 'significant expansion.'

"Nor do they suggest wider spread of COVID-19 in Haida Gwaii communities. While contact tracing work continues, it is believed the new cases are also epidemiologically linked to the original outbreak cases.

"The recently-identified Haida Gwaii cases are from exposures that took place prior to last week’s outbreak declaration. It would not be unexpected to identify additional cases in coming days, where exposure also occurred within the same COVID-19 incubation period."

It adds all active cases are currently self-isolating at home and none require hospital care at this time.

Northern B.C. now has 86 positive COVID-19 cases since the virus hit the region on March 9.

This is the second-highest 24-hour case count the region has seen after eight new ones were reported on July 22. 

In the northeast, the one Site C case has recovered and no longer requires self-isolation, and is returning to their home in Alberta as part of their work rotation, confirmed by BC Hydro today.

The affected worker arrived from Alberta on July 13, and received their test results from Alberta Health Services on July 15.

A second test by Northern Health confirmed the worker was positive on July 16.

In B.C., there were 41 new cases reported in the last 24 hours by Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, increasing the grand total to 3,562.

There are now 259 active cases in the province, six of which are hospitalized with two in critical care, and 3,109 recoveries (87 per cent).

Fortunately, no one died from the virus since yesterday, keeping the toll at 194.

"To play safe and stay safe this weekend, and protect all of our communities from COVID-19, we all need to use the layers of protection we have available and keep your groups small," says Dr. Henry in her daily update.

"Staying a safe distance from others is the best way to slow the spread of the virus. If you are in a crowded area, outside or inside, and you can’t maintain a safe physical distance, wearing a mask is a further protective layer."

- with files from Jess Fedigan, PrinceGeorgeMatters, and Matt Preprost, Alaska Highway News